Etsy's Handmade Blog
How-To: Stitch an Apron
Story by missbatch
Published on December 31, 2008 in How-To 		Photo by

John Widman

Nothing beats a cool, retro style apron to make you feel like the hostess with the most-est. So whether you're holding a New Year's brunch, or a tea for two, tie on a party-proof print and be ready to toast!

Aprons are deceptively simple to make, requiring just a small amount of fabric and the most basic sewing skills. Why not give this sweet number a shot?

Today author Nathalie Mornu of instructional handbook A Is for Apron is here to share the "Kaleidoscope" apron by designer Angelina Williamson, who says, "I used pin-tucks to confer the formality of an obi or a corset. It was exciting to discover their value as both a structural and a textural element."

Download the free pattern and complete instructions here or follow along below.

Kaleidoscope Apron

Materials:
Apron kit (fabric sheers, scissors, threads, pins, sewing needles, tape measure, sewing machine, iron and ironing board, water-soluble fabric pen, and transfer pencil)
Pattern (see download)
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of fabric for the front
¾ yard (68.6 cm) of coordinating fabric for the waistband, hem, and ties
¼ yard (22.9 cm) of batiste for the waistband lining
4 buttons (with holes, not shanks), 7⁄8-inch (2.2 cm) in diameter

Tools:
Spaghetti-strap turner
Seam gauge

 

 

 

What You Do:

Step 1: Enlarge and cut out the pattern pieces from the project download. Cut the front out of the main fabric and the remaining pattern pieces out of the coordinating fabric. Cut the waistband out of
the batiste.

Step 2: Overlock, serge, or zigzag all the raw edges of the front and hem pieces to prevent them from fraying.

Step 3: With right sides together, pin the hem to the front, starting from the center and working toward the edges to ensure the edges match up correctly. Stitch.

Step 4: Press the seam toward the hem, and then topstitch the seam down on the right side of the fabric.

Step 5: Turn to the wrong side. Press and stitch down the sides.

Step 6: Turn back to the right side, press the hem, and stitch it down.

Step 7: Turn the four tie pieces over, wrong side up, and press one end of each, so the right side is turned over to the wrong side.

Step 8: Pin two ties together, right sides together, and stitch the sides using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Repeat to create the other tie.

Step 9: Turn the ties right side out using the spaghetti-strap turner, and press them. Topstitch three sides, leaving the raw edge unstitched.

Step 10: With the right sides together, pin the waistband to the waistband lining. Stitch the sides, using a ¼-inch (6 mm) seam allowance. Turn the waistband right side out and press.

Step 11: Turn in the ends of the waistband ½ inch (1.3 cm) and press. Insert the raw end of each apron strap into the ends of the waistband. Pin them in place, and topstitch the entire waistband.

 

Step 12: Use a temporary-ink fabric pen to mark the center of the waistband at the top and the bottom. On one side of the center, use the seam gauge to make 15 small marks at the top and the bottom edges of the waistband at 1¼-inch (3.2 cm) intervals, starting from the center and working your way out. Repeat on the other side of the center mark.

Step 13: Fold the waistband at the center, wrong sides together. Stitch a seam ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the centerfold. Work from the center out toward one end (figure 1), and then turn the waistband around, and repeat to finish the other end. Refer to the marks you made to fold each tuck at the right spot. Stitch ¼ inch (6 mm) in from the fold each time.

Step 14: Using a temporary-ink fabric pen, mark the center of the waistband by measuring its longest vertical length and dividing that number in half. Pin the front of the apron to the point you’ve marked. Then pin the rest of the front to the waistband, keeping it centered along the waistband (figure 2).

Step 15: Use an uneven slipstitch to sew the apron front to the waistband.

Step 16: Sandwich the end of each apron tie between two buttons, and stitch the buttons to each other. Put it on and go out for ice cream. You’ll look as cool as you feel.

 

 

Many thanks to Lark Books for sharing this project with us! 

For more hostess fun, try these searches:


Vintage Aprons | Vintage Tea Sets | Entertaining and Decor Gift Guid

Tags A is for Apron, Amy Butler fabric, Angelina Williamson, aprons, book review, books, chef, cooking, How-Tuesday, instructional, kitchen, kitsch, Lark Books, Nathalie Mornu, Patterns, pdf, projects, retro, sewing, stitching, tutorial
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50 comments     Login to add your own!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. fernfiddlehead

wow o wow. Great. Love it!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. thepairabirds

I'm pretty sewing machine dumb. So, while the instructions seem easy, I'll just buy mine pre-made from Etsy sellers ;)
As a side note, it would have been cool to have some aprons in the related items section.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. JustJaynes

Great article! I love aprons.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. KreatedbyKelly

I love aprons!! I sell a whole slew of them at festivals!!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:46 a.m. myzoetrope

Ohh, this is a great project!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. BluCille

I love the felt cakes!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. BabbidgePatch

Oh I love aprons! My grandmother had many and I have a couple of hers with dainty lace edges and pockets!

Great article and directions!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. finchwork

What a cute project - one of my dear etsy friends - whistlingsparrow makes lovely aprons.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. TeenAngster

So cute! I'm tempted to try this one!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. girlsavage

Such a cute project and I just got a new sewing machine for Christmas to try it with!!!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:41 a.m. TheSavageCabbage

I think a found my project for the weekend!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. leafprintstudio

Lovely! Should I make one or buy one from the huge selection on Etsy?
So many choices!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. TheSavageCabbage

ooops, I meant, I think I found my project for the weekend.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. 2gorditas

I want one! Hmmmm...something to do this month!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. LuLusPhotography

Yey :) Another project to do!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. JustFeltHungry

Fab apron! Thanks!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. retrothreadz

yay for vintage style aprons , just like momma use to wear I love them

Dec. 31, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. PDXfabricdeli

The snack plates......adorable. Perfect for my kitchen.
Vintage style apron are the bomb!!!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. kingofmythrone

I have a sewing machine, but i don't know how to sew. Maybe I will have that be my New Years resolution. Learn to sew for 2009. This pattern looks doable...I think.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. CloverNoire

Very lovely!
Think I'm going to have to try this one on my new machine.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. shopgoodgrace

oh my! Thank you for sharing! Great article, beautiful apron (with fantastic instructions), and fabulous Etsy finds!! :)

Dec. 31, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. faeriesfolly

The buttons on the ends of the ties is my favorite part. XD Too cute.

Dec. 31, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. AnthologiE

Not only can you look great as the hostess, but what a great hostess GIFT if you're not it!

Dec. 31, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. handmade

love this! thanks =)

Dec. 31, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. pinkshowercurtain

great picks!

i'm going to attempt an apron. i love the etsy tutorials. they always inspire me to make something. yay! :)

Dec. 31, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. PiperBags

I wear one every time I cook. Have a large collection, will add this one to it this weekend. Thank you!

Jan. 1, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. flyingrhymes

Thank you for sharing! I'll have to try it out for the shop - and make one for me!

Jan. 1, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ClickityClack

I confess, I don't wear aprons. I just stick a towel in my jeans waistband or pocket when I am slopping around the kitchen. Aprons are a interesting part of our history and I love them even if I don't wear them. When my mother was teaching 4-H sewing, it was our first project. We did a "rip and sew" apron. You took a yard of fabric, ripped 2 strips off the length for the waistband and ties then gathered the yard of fabric to the waistband, added ties and hemmed the bottom edge and sides. The "powers that be" in 4-H had a fit.........Mom was supposed to have us all buy a pattern for the simple apron! Oh, and some of us used fabric from the feedstore. Chicken feed (and other feed too) used to come in colorful fabrics that could be used to make clothing. That would have been in the 50's. LOL

Jan. 1, 2009 at 10:48 a.m. zakkaArt

aprons- my love!

Jan. 1, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. ArtWhims

That is an awesome apron! I love the pattern... If only sewing was one of my better talents :D

Jan. 1, 2009 at 2:17 p.m. raegunfabric

oh I love it, that book has been on my amazon wish list for a long time

Jan. 1, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. kiddyup

Super Cute!!

Jan. 1, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. voleurdebijoux

fabulously too chic! :)

Jan. 1, 2009 at 5:05 p.m. ButtonToGo

Great design. I love the waistband treatment and the angles. Thank you for sharing.

Jan. 1, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. PenguinettaAfghans

Wow. Really brings memories.

Jan. 1, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. hearte

yes! thank you for sharing this!
i've always wanted to make a cute little apron for myself.

Jan. 1, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. ConstantGalore

i adore aprons and i adore these teacups!

Jan. 1, 2009 at 11:12 p.m. stitchnvixen

um, dumb question, but how do you enlarge a pattern 400%?

Jan. 2, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. qift

excellent work!
thanks for sharing

Jan. 2, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. timesandchimes

Neat shops represented here!

Jan. 2, 2009 at 4:52 p.m. shelby1998

super cute, i just might give it a go - thanks!

Jan. 2, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. ArtSeeds

I have the book and have made an apron from it. Good directions with beautiful and inspiring photos. A great read!

Jan. 2, 2009 at 10:47 p.m. christinececelia

LOVE IT!
thanks!

Jan. 3, 2009 at 1:48 a.m. waxandwool

Lovely tea time collection, that brooch especially - off to heart it NOW!

Jan. 3, 2009 at 8:14 p.m. southerngirls

I love your aprons. Go to southerngirls and see my apron creations. They are fun for the Diva in you.

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Jan. 4, 2009 at 11:24 a.m. georgiamarbles

great apron!
Please visit my shop and see mine!! i have a great selection of valentine ones!!

Jan. 4, 2009 at 11:44 p.m. sewhappyjane

very cute! I love all the tea pot/tea related items as well.

Jan. 18, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. PetticoatLaneDesigns

how do you enlarge it 400% ????

Jan. 21, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. maryanne0308

I bought the Lark book and learned too late that there are mistakes in the book, including the templates for this apron. Go to larkbooks.com and look in the "ask our experts" section to find the errata for this book.

April 5, 2009 at 5:58 p.m. feirahippie

I love this apron! The pleats on the waistband are so unexpected and retro. The fabric is really pretty too!

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